FansProject Powered Commander To Be Reissued With Chrome

Again - where is there any proof that this will be the same toy? Every OTHER release they've added/removed accessories, etc... Why would this be any different? If the addition of a head and a new paint scheme is enough for you to consider "Botcon Megatron" and "Universe Countdown" as "different", then there's a high possibility that this new release will be "different" enough for you.

Unless you can prove that this release of PC is identical to the TFcon one, I call strawman.

This figure is different. The TFcon one is still an exclusive. If you paid more than the $150 CAD/$130 USD (which included price of admission, among other things, and essentially free shipping from wherever FP is located), that was entirely your decision.

This appears to be different from the original release, so like the Botcon seekers, no harm done to anyone who purchased the original. Unless you just really would have preferred the chrome, in which case it's just a bummer for you.
I'd be delighted, personally. I've got a complete set, have enjoyed them for many years, and would love it if others could inexpensively enjoy them as well.

But it has a different color scheme? It's not the same toy thus the previous is still an exclusive right?

Uh did the TFcon powered convoy have chrome or the same colors as Henkei Convoy? No, it was different.

As for our "examples" I know they were released the other way around. For arguments sake man, jeez

Haha, sure man. Now ask ALL the other persons who got the exclusives if they're all open-minded like you. Ask the people who paid $400-800 for Botcon Megatron how they would have felt if a $25 version with a couple different paint apps had been released by Hasbro a few weeks after the convention.

I didn't pay for my PC btw, I traded for it. It made me buy Classics Prime though, only because the Henkei version looked like crap with the trailer. If I had known FP were to trick us like that, I would have never bothered trading for it and I would have just gotten just the Henkei version instead as I don't even collect Classics.

LOL. it's not a "casted" mold. It's a steel injected mold, they cost anywhere from $10,000 to $150,000 to make.

This analogy only works if the retail cost of the Botcon Megatron were $400-800.

So I WAS right about this taking place back then!

I posted this long before you guys even started talking about it. See here:

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transf...o-april-7.html

& people was telling me that it's "Not true" so what an irony now.

Also, the "true collector" would pride in the "exclusive" release, even if re-released with slight differences. A "TFcon PC" is and always will be a "TFcon PC" and those who DO have them, have them. They still hold their initial value to a hard core collector. Same with any botcon exclusives. Hell, I could do repaints of most the botcon stuff, doesn't make your botcon worth any less, does it?

That's true. Primary release price is not the same as the price on the secondary market, from which hasbro derives 0 profits.

This is a good point and I think what the point the poster is missing. I used to own a Botcon Megatron and I paid $400 for mine... the guy whom bought him from me paid me $550... the guy I bought mine from paid the actual retail price at the convention (which was... a little under $100 and came with Waspinator). And that's the whole point... if people choose to pay high aftermarket mark-ups for exclusives that's entirely their thing. If a slightly different release comes along later and cheaper that's totally the company's deal. However, as far as I'm concerned, this is the same scenario going around as with the Botcon Seekers... it's going to match the Henkei release and have chrome... therefor... like Takara's releases of Dirge, Thrust & TC... it's a different release.

Oh, and yes, I own the Botcon Seekers and I was thrilled for everyone that got a chance to own the Takara versions (and was also thrilled to see Hasbro answer that they could potentially release Dirge and Thrust with those remolds state side if they so chose at a later date in one of their Q&A's) as the more people that have access to awesome toys the better. The releases were different enough so that mine are still distinguishable, but I can't say I give a rat's behind about their exclusivity anyways. I buy figures because I like them... not for their potential market value...

Which brings up a good point... sometimes, when I see bitch fest threads like this... I have to sit back and wonder if the people whom bought these exclusives did so because they liked the toy or because of the potential market value. Not that I care, but I wouldn't care if all the exclusives I have were to receive a mass release as long as the deco were different enough.

Original price for PC: 120-130 usd
Original price of Henkei PC: 90 usd (might be even less depending on where you order it).

How much was Botcon Megatron selling for during the convention?

The point is, some people have now paid over 300 usd to get that 120-130 usd trailer just days/weeks after the convention and some people have also paid top dollars to get Megatron in the days/weeks following the convention even if the convention price was much lower. To mass release an exclusive with a few minor changes to make it a superior toy a few weeks after its original release is completely unethical. 18-24 months after like they did for the Botcon seekers would already be more acceptable.

That's BS.

I picked up a couple of extra ones so that I could use them to trade with people for 09 Botcon figures. I guess that plan might be shot to hell..

Also with regards to the botcon seekers issue that was brought up. To be fair, they were released by 2 seperate companies. TakaraTomy had no obligation to not release the figures. On the other hand, Powered Commander is being released by the same company and while yes, they are making him colour match Henkei Convoy. It still is a Powered Commander and it is a big kick in the crotch.

BOUGHT!

Wow... is this a huge "Suck it!!" to TFCon or what? Upgraded Powered Commander for cheaper? Hells yes. I personally see this as a massive correction to the mistake that was going exclusive with PC to begin with.

Thank you for putting the Fan back in Fansproject!

You know, I bought my PC thanks to a fellow board member who made the treck to TF Con. I don't see this new release as unethical as it has enough variations with the original to be set apart. If it gives others an opportunity to own the armor without the markup then fine by me.

What I do see as unethical is FansProject lying to attendees and TF Con staff that the molds had been destroyed. This could bring repercusions to future convention organizers thinking of offering third party exclusive figures or add-ons. In my business I've always though of honesty as the best policy and after buying and promoting FP products on these boards I feel this is a stab in the back to Canadian fans and any who made the treck to TF Con. I sure hope the Con isn't affected by this next year as I'm planning to attend.

Well I have 2 Powered Convoys & if a new one comes out for Henkei Convoy then I'll purchase that as well. Of course I'd like TFCon Powered Convoy to hold its value but that is the nature of the game. Purchasing exclusives and hoping that the price increases is pure speculations and speculators should be prepared risk/reward scenario. Buyers should also be aware that the price may fall in the future. All that said, I hope the new version is distinctively different.


As for the mold being destroyed...Do you really think there won't be more repaints of the City Commander mold? How many versions of Classics Prime are there? Feasible we could see a lot more repaints in the future. They could have made the Henkei version and any future repaints before they destroyed the mold. Even if that is not the cast then they could technically re-cast the mold and still be truthful.

you're missing the point though. A re-issue of an exclusive is NOT the exclusive.

I think adds to the discussion of the advantage/disadvantage of TFcon not being an official convention.

We talked about this on the podcast a bit, but TFcon has both advantages and disadvantages of not being officially sponsored by Hasbro. If they did have a license, they would almost certainly be restricted to use of official molds like BotCon is, which means that they could actually offer official characters from canon rather then third party add-on kits. But also, being unoffficial allows them to offer virtually whatever they want OUTSIDE of official molds. So in essence you have one or the other. Both have their ups and downs, and I think in the past it has hindered TFcon, but this year it really paid off and showed the advantage that unofficial status could bring.

But this is another disadvantage of not being official. Since BotCon has official molds, they come from Hasbro and their oversees factories. But since TFcon got their exclusives from a third party, they rely solely on the word of that company producing the exclusive toy.

Not taking one side or another, I'm just kind of fascinated with TFcon's "rogue" status. I have gotten the feeling they want to have an official license, but I wonder what that would do to them as far as exclusives go, for better or for worse.

I'm also going to buy this release. As to answer your question, if I was a TF Con organizer or an attendee and asked FP if a PC general release was planned for the future, and their answer was: "no the molds have been destroyed," but a few weeks later this turns up I would certainly be angry about it.

As a retailer this is nothing but good news for us and for fans however I can see why people who purchased the set at the TFCon are a tad upset but I do feel even worse for those who bought it on the secondary market.

I dont think any blame lies with FP because they need to make money and this kit will have differences including the box however the people that are really at fault in this whole thing appear to be the scalpers, yet again whilst the show was going on ebay had sellers with quantities of 10+ at stupid prices.

This new release will retail around $100 without shipping from Japan, its $50 less than the TFCon version which shall forever remain limited and worth its original price if not more

I'm one of those that asked that question TM2. I still like their stuff, but it just burns with this happening and having be called Powered Commander.

wow, I made Serious efforts to get this so called exclusive. Even though I didn't pay much more than the convention price, they are releasing a better one before he has even reached my doorstep. No remolded head or anything a few chrome apps?? I just canceled my 5 G3 trailer preorders. It won't matter to them since they are now about the dollar and the PC re release will make them cheddar, but it's the only statement I can make. I am genuinly happy that those that couldn't afford it or find someone to pick one up can now get one, but I am pissed. I think I am done with add on companies. BTS trailer will go in my custom classics prime box. Then I am done.

I think you take a risk anytime you pay beyond retail (or initial price) of an exclusive. Interesting is market value vs actual value. If Frenzy_Rumble buys a TFCon PC for $130USD and the Pax buys it for $300 in the aftermarket, that is Pax taking a risk and being a collector by paying an enormous mark up to own an item, whether it is limited release or not. You can't get mad down the road when the same (or similar) item becomes available at a cheaper cost. That's your gamble, and your loss.

Seems to me the only "bad" thing is those who said FP was telling people at the convention that the mold was broken and no more would be made. thats pretty crappy.

Again: I didn't pay for my PC. Find another example.

Ummm, have to say that is BS. I found out about this thread because the guy I picked up Powered Convoy for (and for $170, the cost plus shipping, no scalping) said he didn't need it because he found the re-release FOR HALF THE PRICE. So I am stuck with a toy I got as a favor for a friend, and the urge to punch him in the face when I see him. I can't though because i can't blame him for wanting to spend $80 less dollars for something better when he is hurting for cash. So who's fault is it? Greeeeeed.

OMG, i love FP right now. i wasnt gonna get it cos of the price and cos i wanted OP not UM or NM and their respective trailers, but now i can, and it looks better.

Once again, thank you FP i love you guys!!!!!

Bingo. Heck, I bought a second CC with an almost 100% markup, and if they ever re-release it, guess who has to deal with it?

Yea, it's sketch at best. Straight-up lying at worst.

You can blame him for backing out on a deal. That sounds like a problem between you and your buddy. This is where contracts and written agreements come in handy.

Yup, a better product for less. The only thing exclusive now about the TFcon version is how inferior it is compared to the new one! I already want to trade (DUMP!) my PC for the Henkei version.

thing is tho, the mold may still have actually broken and they most likely took a finished trailer and recast the mold. its not a hard thing to do (i assume)

TFCON Semi-Exclusive PC..Nice

I see it like the Botcon Seekers, I said YAY for my friends when the Henkei's came out for two reasons, one TakTom didn't make them exactly the same MOLD they changed em, and two because my friends could get them but SO COULD I because they were different. A paint app change is unacceptable to me. A NEW paint app (PM PRIME) would be acceptable and a remold would be acceptable.

Haha, funny. He is doing the logical thing. I don't worry about money, its on his mind 24-7. I would be an asshole to make him pay up. I said "I understand man", got mad, and the anger is going somewhere.

Like i said earlier, these molds for big projects (like PC or their newer full figures coming) are very expensive. I think the FP guy at Tfcon told me in the 100s of thousands.

they look like this:


And I doubt any company "destroys" these a few weeks after making them.

Hell, Blue Meanie. If you're upset about your friend not wanting to pay the $170 for the TFCon Powered Commander, just sell it to me for that price instead lol. I'd gladly buy it once I get paid.

And there's another thing about the TFCon Powered Commander that you all have neglected to mention: the case with the Energon "sandwiches." That's yet another thing that can separate this repaint from the TFCon version. Will this Henkei version come with it? I've seen no mention of it yet.

I do feel bad for those who bought this guy at a markup, but i can't help but be glad to have the chance to get this guy. I had no luck getting anyone that could grab me one for cost, and really couldn't afford to grab this guy for the aftermarket cost, not if i still wanted to make it to botcon (as it is i'm trading boxset for room right now).

They must have already been produced by the time tfcon came around, so it's possible they weren't lying when they said that the mold was broken by then.

Either way though, i still apprectiate FP, and everything they're doing, and will be grabbing this guy the moment he's available.

I feel bad now for the people who went to TFCon. For those that want to sell their PC, I'm willing to buy... at cost . PM Me.

wow didn't they say Powered Commander was only be at TFCon? Man changing the colours a bit and making it mass market that's just lame I'm sorry and I feel sad for those who paid crazy prices for it on ebay

*might very well be getting one*

Another example:

Yeah almost every member who went to the show asked them a variation of the question: "are you going to make this a mass release," "are you going to rerelease CC", "will you be making another color scheme in the future," etc.

Each of these fans was lied to, even when FP was seeing some spending money on multiple PCs for later sales. It's a dick move because they went back on everything they stated about being by fans for fans.

Exactly. I'm not angry for the armor being rereleased. I am ticked at how sneakily they went around to do it.

Read the quote below and FR already stated before that the armor's are not cast.

I think its harsh to say they are sneaky, the info only came out this morning and it may well be a Japanese show exclusive, I should know more tomorrow morning if others dont find out before me.

Don't know man, after telling people it was show only and then that interview speech about not being about money, laaaaaaaaame. haha, its kinda glaring.

Well I got mine in trade for the original price (well once I get it) so Im not worried in terms of value but I dont like FPs behaviour. They should have been up front about their plans. They could also have waited 6 months or more if they weren't going to announce before hand.

This just seems bad business. No way I'm going after any kind of exclusive from them again and frankly its put me off buying anything from.

As for the seekers that was a different company releasing them and it was a full year or more later and they were still an exclusive (even if not as exclusive).

It's the Botcon jets all over again.

You really don't understand anything, do you?

Sure it might be easy for Hasbro to go out and buy a new Wheeljack but when you factor in the cost of making a new mold (it would have to have die-cast parts) and that it would need to be a store exclusive since the last time they offered the Commemorative series no one but TRU in the US (correct me if I'm wrong) picked them up, plus the fact that the line wasn't very successful all factors into being a not very profitable venture.

And also the original molds would have suffered degradation during the original run and keeping them about would be pointless so therefore the molds would be destroyed to save space.

But I forget, any time you post reason and sense go out of the window.

at best I'd say its degraded a little not broken and I'd say with some TLC they could be reused. Also given how many units Hasbro pump out I don't think FP's moulds will fall apart after say 10,000 toys (maybe even half that).

IMO it just sounds like their trying to manipulate their value by controlling the flow of toys on the market by releasing PC their bringing its price down while the news of the broken mould will push up the over all value of the toys... Or maybe I'm just thinking about this the wrong way. Maybe it is broken but fixable and right now their efforts are in Springer and Roddie

and.....in what part of that quote did he say that?

Honestly I'm not TOO choked. at $150 CDN, which includes admission, Powered Convoy didn't cost much more than he would have as a normal release anyway.

Look at it this way: People SCREAMED when FansProject released this as an exclusive. "OMG FansProject WE HATE YOU!!"

Now, seeing how insane the demand is, they're trying to make the fans happy by releasing a 'Henkei' release. And they get "OMG FansProject WE HATE YOU!!"

If Powered Commander had been $200 or $300 and NOT included $50 worth of admission to the con, I'd be more upset, but he didn't. I'm just happy my set matches up with my Classics Optimus. It's still a better value than the Botcon set

I think the people who are most pissed off are the scalpers. Oh noes! No 200% markup!

Exactly, that's why I stand behind by opinion on them being sneaky about it. If they release anymore info (like Red Leader wrote) explaining why they decided to release this "new" CC variation and it's not BS I'll be the first to retract my statement.

Uhhhhh....I never wrote that it was in that quote:

Hmm, might get this...maybe

You know what I would actually find funny....is that because everyone kept on asking them if this was going to be a wide release later on....they probably did so because there was a demand and originally did not intend to make any more at all.

I can agree with you on that because it seems like if an exclusive gets released somewhere else (even with a few changes), seems like..stuff happens (and that's how I put it).

For example, I have Botcon Thundercracker and I liked him & when I heard the release of its Henkei counterpart...I didn't mind since it gave other people a chance to get him and I liked him too so I also got him (which I think to me was really worth it).

I say as long as you enjoy the toy itself, that's what in my opinion counts.

-TF2